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Ms. Pam Damoff (Oakville North—Burlington, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:10:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 28 years ago, Canada's first Black woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, was responsible for the House of Commons designating February as Black History Month in Canada. Every February and throughout the year, we honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present, whose contributions have helped to make Canada the prosperous, compassionate and multicultural nation it is today. It is also a time to reflect on, and to remove, the inequities that still exist for Black Canadians. Join me in participating in Black History Month events in Oakville North—Burlington, as well as digital spaces, while learning more about our community's rich Black history. The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Halton Black History Awareness Society, Sheridan College, Black Mentorship Inc. and many other organizations are hosting events and community programming taking place this month and throughout the year. I wish everyone a happy Black History Month.

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Mr. Tony Van Bynen (Newmarket—Aurora, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:11:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Sepideh Kashani and her husband, Houman Jokar, have been imprisoned, tortured and beaten in Iran simply for wanting to protect Iranian wildlife and conduct legitimate environmental research. In a rare letter from prison, Sepideh writes that she perseveres for her country, for the women of her country, for young people and for all the wounded injustice. I rise here, alongside my York Region Liberal caucus colleagues, in sponsorship of Sepideh Kashani, Houman Jokar and five other environmental activists wrongly imprisoned for loving their country. We come together to amplify their voices and to advocate for universal human rights in Iran, as we stand with and alongside the movement of Women, Life, Freedom.

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Mrs. Karen Vecchio (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:12:11 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, violent crime in Canada has increased by 32% since the Prime Minister took over. Gang-related homicides have increased by 92%, and this is happening here in Canada. Many women have tragically fallen victim to the violence, and violent crime is raging out of control in our cities. Some women are afraid to take the train. On June 17, a Toronto woman in her twenties died of her injuries as she was brutally set on fire while taking public transit. On December 8, a 31-year-old woman was fatally stabbed on a Line 2 train at High Park Station. Crime rates continue to rise, and women continue to be targeted. The government has had eight years, and under the Prime Minister violent crime is rising. For the protection of women and children, I implore the Prime Minister to take responsibility, protect our communities and reform our bail system.

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Mr. Wilson Miao (Richmond Centre, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:13:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the first day of the lunar new year started on January 22. Asian Canadian communities in Richmond Centre and many around the world began their 15-day celebration to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. This year, many Canadian families and friends are finally able to gather safely together to celebrate this significant festival. I was grateful to join with many of my constituents as we counted down to the lunar new year and celebrated with street parades and lion dance performances. We even invited Asian Canadians from across our country yesterday to come to our nation's capital to commemorate this joyous occasion with my fellow members of Parliament and our Prime Minister. During this celebration, let us take time to recognize the immense contributions Asian Canadians have made and remind ourselves how vibrant and multicultural Canada is. I wish everyone success, prosperity and good health in the Year of the Rabbit.

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Mr. John Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:14:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberals seem to have forgotten that taxes, deficits and inflation are all determined by policies set by the federal Liberal government. Eight years ago, the Liberals inherited a fiscal house in order. Conservatives delivered lower taxes to Canadians. We also eliminated a deficit while increasing health transfers to the provinces. Conservatives made sure those who are struggling to make ends would pay no federal income tax, and we cut the GST. Today, in contrast, taxes are going up. Canadians across the country have energy bills they cannot pay and cannot afford because of the carbon tax. Rent and mortgage payments are excessive because of rising interest rates. Canadian households are living through the worst cost-of-living crisis in 40 years because of the Liberal government. Canadians have a choice to continue on the ruinous path the Liberals have us on or to follow the Conservatives so that families will not just get by, but they will get ahead.

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Mr. Kyle Seeback (Dufferin—Caledon, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:15:36 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Liberal government, what do we have? We have corruption and we have incompetence. The Prime Minister is routinely found guilty of violating the ethics laws of this country. The Minister of Public Safety backdates documents to cover up for himself, and the Minister of International Trade gives juicy contracts to her close personal friends. Let us talk about incompetence. The Minister of International Trade finds the time to approve a contract for her personal friend, but what she does not find the time to do is to stop the importation of goods made with forced labour from the Xinjiang region of China. That is right. They have not stopped a single shipment. Despite the ban, nothing has been stopped. The Americans have seized billions of dollars of goods. It is gross incompetence. However, do not worry. There is hope on the horizon. A Conservative government under our new leader will sweep away the corruption and incompetence and will deliver a government all Canadians can be proud of.

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Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Hochelaga, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:16:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, today marks the start of Black History Month, and I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman. On January 21, Monique Dauphin died in a tragic incident in Montreal. Ms. Dauphin was born in Haiti and arrived in Montreal in 1969. She was involved and engaged with the Haitian community and indigenous communities her entire life. She was a women's rights activist and a feminist. Because of her work, she was actively involved, for 10 years, with Maison d’Haïti and especially with women and young girls. She leaves behind her children, Laurie, Melissa and Patrice, her friends and an entire community. I would ask all my colleagues to take this opportunity to stop and take some time to learn more about the culture and history of our Black communities. Systemic racism and discrimination still exist and are part of the daily lives of far too many people. Monique Dauphin called out and fought against anti-Black racism and she would certainly agree with that, because learning more about others is the perfect antidote to prejudice and racism.

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Ms. Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo—Ladysmith, NDP)

Feb/1/23 2:18:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last week I hosted a health care round table in my riding of Nanaimo—Ladysmith and heard from health care professionals, including nurses. Nurses are the backbone of our health care system, yet the government has not been treating them as such. We know that nursing, frontline care work and all forms of care are dominated by women, BIPOC and new immigrants. Despite the vitally important work they do, nurses have been consistently undervalued, underpaid and overworked. They have reached their breaking point. They need fair and safe working conditions that value the important profession it is. They need a real commitment from the government that help is on the way to ensure health care workers are recruited and retained. We must see all care work, whether paid or unpaid, work that mainly falls on the strong shoulders of women, to be properly compensated. Nurses need more than empty words. They need a lifeline and deserve respect. We owe it to them and all women to value the care that they give us all.

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Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Joliette, BQ)

Feb/1/23 2:19:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our community of Joliette has been in mourning since we learned of the passing of René Laurin. René Laurin was mayor of Joliette from 2001 to 2013, as well as the director general of the school board and a municipal councillor. To me he stands out as the first Bloc Québécois MP from the riding of Joliette from 1993 to 2000. Quebec finally had a voice in Ottawa, and in Joliette that voice was René's. Highly respected by everyone, René was a team player, hard-working, meticulous, community-oriented, funny and exceptionally musically talented. Every Christmas people would ask him to sing some of the classics. At a reception to mark the closure of Centre Block, we talked about what it was like to be an MP in his day and about the changes he had seen in recent years. René would have been 83 in a few days. To his wife, Suzanne, to his whole family and the entire population of Joliette, I offer my deepest condolences. Thank you, René.

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Mr. Michael Kram (Regina—Wascana, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:20:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, everything is broken, and nowhere is that more evident than in the travel sector. Last summer, thousands of Canadians were stranded in airports due to cancelled and delayed flights and lost luggage. With summer vacations ruined, many Canadians said to themselves that things could not possibly get any worse, but when the Liberals are in power, things can always get worse. In the following months, the transport minister accomplished absolutely nothing. Over the Christmas and new year travel season, thousands more Canadians were stranded in far-flung destinations due to the Liberals' inability to approve work permits for airline workers and to hold airlines accountable for service standards. The minister did not even bother to phone the airline executives until weeks later. After eight years of the Liberal government, it is time for the Liberals to take a permanent vacation and for the Conservatives to clean up what they have ruined.

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Ms. Iqra Khalid (Mississauga—Erin Mills, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:21:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I cannot begin to describe what it was like to grow up in Mississauga with a woman like Hazel McCallion as our mayor. She won her election 45 years ago, at a time when many thought it was unthinkable for a woman to seek office. Hazel proved them wrong, and over her 36 years of service, she was a shining example of what a woman in leadership is capable of. Fearless and compassionate, she was a force to be reckoned with, a hurricane. Even after retiring, she spent her later years continuing to give back to the city she loved and that loved her in return. Last weekend, with 101 years under her belt, Hazel McCallion passed away. She blazed a trail that so many women will continue walking for generations to come. Thanks to Hazel. She ran so that we could run with her. May she rest in peace.

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The Speaker

Feb/1/23 2:22:21 p.m.
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I want to point out that S. O. 31s are limited to 60 seconds. One of the hardest parts of being Speaker is having to cut someone off because they have gone over the 60 seconds. I thank all who gave their S. O. 31s today as none went over one minute. It is appreciated.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:22:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years in office, how much money has the Government of Canada given to McKinsey in contracts?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:23:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we understand how important it is for Canadians to get value for money. I have asked the ministers involved, the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement to follow up on all of these contracts to make sure that all the rules have been followed and all the parameters are being met. They know they need to be open with the committees about what was done and how it was done.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:23:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not know why the Prime Minister needs a review. Can he not just ask how much his own government spent on contracts to this company? I mean, we are talking at least $120 million. I asked him this question five times the last time he was in the House, and he was unable to answer. Perhaps the number is too high to count, but this is a company that is engulfed in scandals in France, that helped kill people in the United States and possibly in Canada through the opioid crisis, and helped foreign governments suppress their own people. Surely the Prime Minister would know how much he paid this company after eight years. How much?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:24:17 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as these contracts were, for the large part, signed and negotiated by the public service, it is important that we actually be able to have clarity on the answers, which is why I have asked the Minister of Public Services and the President of the Treasury Board to look in carefully to make sure Canadians did get value for money and that all the rules and procedures were appropriately followed. The ministers of course will be sharing that information with committees and with all parliamentarians. It is important Canadians see exactly how government is investing their money.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:24:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, he says that the public servants recruited McKinsey and its managing director, Dominic Barton. That is not what he said before, and I quote, “I met the leaders of major corporations from around the world, and one thing they all had in common? They all knew Dominic. I came to appreciate, maybe even envy, Dominic's contact list, so we recruited him.” That is far from having public servants do it. In fact, public servants say they have no idea what McKinsey actually did for all this money. Given that he recruited this company, how much did he pay it?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:25:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, over our time in office, I have been touched by seeing how many Canadians of extraordinary backgrounds have put their hands up and offered to serve their country, to contribute to Canadian success and contribute to government. Dominic Barton has certainly served his country in many ways, including by being an outstanding ambassador to China. In regard to contracts assigned to McKinsey by the public service, as I said, we are following up on how those contracts were chosen, allocated and fulfilled.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)

Feb/1/23 2:26:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, he always blames everybody else for his actions. After eight years in government, he never takes responsibility, so now he is blaming the public servants for paying over $120 million to his friends at McKinsey. Here is what the public servants told the media, “We had a few presentations on very generic, completely vapid stuff. They arrived with nice colours, nice presentations and said they would revolutionize everything. In the end, we don't have any idea what they did.” What they did is get over $120 million. We still do not know exactly how much. What was the total?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Feb/1/23 2:27:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I said, the ministers are appropriately looking into it to make sure all rules were followed. As we move forward, we are focused on Canadians right now and the need to support Canadians who are going through a really difficult time, whether it is grocery prices, whether it is gas or whether it is paying their rents. That is why we have stepped up with direct supports for Canadians. We will continue to, and we certainly hope the Conservatives, putting aside their opposition to more support for Canadians who are renting or more support so people can send their kids to the dentist, will step up and support on child care, disability and other investments that support Canadians.

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